Grease handling apparatus for closed system oven

Abstract

A grease removal system for a combination oven, requiring venting and condensation of steam, conducts excess grease through the same drainpipe as the steam to a water-filled condenser, then segregates the grease within a reservoir wall. In this way, a single opening may serve to remove both excess steam pressure and grease and temperature-moderated grease may be readily pumped to a convenient location.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Commercial ovens may provide for closed system operation in which the oven volume is substantially sealed to retain heat and moisture and provide energy savings. Such closed system operation is particularly desirable for “combination ovens” that provide the ability to cook food using steam and fan driven (forced convection) hot air but may also be used in convection ovens (without steam) and rotisserie ovens.[0002]In closed-system ovens, excess pressure within the cooking cavity caused by expanding steam and air may be vented through a condenser where the steam is cooled before exiting to the outside air, reducing heating of the kitchen environment. In common condenser designs, the steam is passed through a water bath which cools and condenses the steam. The temperature of the water bath is monitored and fresh, cool water is introduced into the water bath as the temperature rises. Excess water from the bath passes through an overflow into the buildin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention provides a grease drain system that significantly simplifies construction of a closed system oven by discharging steam and grease through the same outlet into a reservoir in the condenser assembly. Grease is removed from the condenser reservoir by a pump system efficiently operated on a pulse basis taking advantage of the accumulating capacity of the reservoir. The pump eliminates or reduces the height differentials required in pure gravity drainage systems allowing the oven to be mounted closely to the floor. The cooling water used to manage steam exhaust may also moderate temperature of the grease for better pumping and handling.

[0006]Specifically, the invention provides an oven with a cooking volume sealable with a door, the cooking volume communicating with a heater to heat the same. A condenser chamber communicates with the cooking volume through a drain opening, the condenser chamber adapted to hold a pool of water at a water level and having an exit port communicating with atmosphere outside of the cooking volume. A grease segregation wall intersects the water level to segregate grease passing through the drain opening to a reservoir area within the condenser chamber. There it can be removed by a pump connected through an opening in the condenser chamber communicating with the reservoir area so that the pump may pump grease from the reservoir area out of the condenser chamber.

[0007]It is thus one feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide an integrated steam condenser and grease handling system simplifying construction of the oven and the removal of grease from the oven.

Problems solved by technology

Gravity drainage systems for grease can be an obstacle to efficient stacking of ovens if the lowermost oven is not sufficiently elevated to permit positioning of the drain containers beneath the oven.

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